Non-toxic shot pellets for shotguns and method
OwnerRobert C. Hooper, Franz R. Brotzeninventors
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Abstract
A non-toxic shotgun pellet having ballistic characteristics similar to those of lead shot is made up of particles of a first alloy, containing primarily ferrotungsten, suspended in a matrix of a second alloy, containing primarily lead. The relative amounts of lead and ferrotungsten are selected to minimize cost while keeping the overall lead content to forty percent or less, by weight, to avoid toxicity. The first alloy is formed by diluting the ferrotungsten with iron or steel and carbon at temperatures on the order of 1800.degree. C. in an inert gas environment. The alloy is quenched and then crushed into particles over which is poured the second alloy comprising lead, tin and antimony in order to suspend the first alloy particles in the second alloy mixture.
Claims14
A non-toxic shotgun pellet comprising the following components:
- a first alloy containing primarily a ferrotungsten alloy;
- a second alloy containing primarily lead;
- wherein said first alloy is in the form of particles suspended in a matrix of said second alloy;
- wherein the concentration of lead in said pellet is no greater than forty percent by weight;
- and
- wherein the specific gravity of said pellet is at least 9.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
The method of preparing material from which shotgun pellets are to be formed, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a first alloy by diluting a ferrotungsten alloy with iron or steel and carbon to obtain a homogenous alloy;
- (b) crushing the first alloy into particles that are very much smaller than the shotgun pellets to be formed;
- (c) preparing a second alloy of lead, antimony and tin;
- and
- (d) melting said second alloy and pouring said second alloy over said first alloy such that the particles of said first alloy are wetted by the molten second alloy to become suspended in a matrix of said second alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.